Fastening device for washing machines



March 3l, 1942.

A. MILLER 2,277,874

FASTENING DEVICE FOR WASHING MACHINES Filed March 1, 1940 mmvron. ABE MILLER BY q%;

- I ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 31, 1942 UNITED STATES FFICE FASTENING DEVICE FOR WASHING MACHINES 1 Claim.

This invention relates to a fastening device and in particular it relates to a latch member having a particular application in the field of washing machines of the commercial type. More particularly the invention relates to means for securing an arcuate sliding door to the principal body of a washing machine.

Commercial washing or laundry machines usually embody a horizontally disposed cylindrical tank into which a perforated cylindrical container is rotatably mounted. These containers are provided with a sliding door and it is the purpose of the present invention to provide in combination with the washing machine a securing means for adequately retaining the sliding door in a fixed position. When it is considered that machines of this type are subjected to constant usage and when it is considered that if a door of this type should open during service, irreparable damage will be caused to the laundry contained therein. It is, therefore, among the objects of my invention to provide a securing means which is positive in action; which may be quickly operated; which will not become disengaged during operation of the machine and which is simple in construction and economical of manufacture. These and other objects and advantages will appear more fully in the following detailed description when considered in c nection with the accompanying drawing, in w h:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view, partly broken, illustrating an assembly of a practical embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged transverse view, in section, illustrating in detail a securing device, the section being taken along lines IIII of Figure 1; and

Fig. 3 is atransverse view thereof, in section, taken along lines III-III of Figure 2.

With reference to the drawing and in particular to Figure 1, I show an illustrative application of my invention in the form of a commercial washing or laundry machine characterized essentially by a horizontally disposed cylindrical tank I. A pair of legs 2 and 3 position the tank I from a supporting surface. The tank I is provided with a rectangular opening 4 which permits access to the interior thereof. A cylindrical and perforated container 5 is located within the tank I and is adapted for rotation therein. Shafts 6 and 1 projecting from the ends of the container 5 are mounted in bearings 8 and 9, respectively, forming a part of the tank I. A pulley l keyed to the shaft 1 provides means through which the'container 5 may be rotated.

The perforated container 5 also includes a rectangular opening ll through which laundry may be placed in the container or removed therefrom. During rotation of the container 5 it is necessary to close the opening II, and for this purpose an arcuate door I2 is slidably retained to the con- ,tainer by means of guide members [3 and I4 each of which are provided with recesses [6. A reinforcing bar I! is permanently attached to the lower portion of the door I 2, and a handle l8 permits manual operation of the door.

Attached to the inner wall of the container 5 is a housing l9 (Fig. 2) one of which is located near each lower corner of the door opening. I I. This housing supports a pin 20 retained in place by a set screw 2|. Loosely retained on the pin 20 is an eye bolt 22 which forms the principal securing means for retaining the door l2 in locked position. A nut 23 cooperates with the eye bolt 22, and an enlarged portion 24 at the nut end of the eye bolt limits the outward movement of the nut. A slot 25 is formed through the wall of the container 5 to permit clearance through which the eye bolt 22 extends. A slot 26 is also provided in the reinforcing bar I! attached to the door l2. In the region of the nut 23 a cutaway portion 2'! is provided in the door l2 principally for the purpose of permitting the nut 23 to lie as close as possible to the surface of the container 5, thus allowing as much clearance as possible between the rotatable container 5 and the walls of the tank I.

The housing IS, in serving as a support for the eye bolt 22, also functions to protect the laundry within the container from interference with the eye bolt, as in this construction the pivot of the eye bolt lies within the washing area of the laundry container. Another important feature of the present invention is that the pivot point of the eye bolt lies within the circumferential plane of the door i2 and in the event the nut 23 should become loosened during the operation of the washing machine, the eye bolt will retain its vertical position due to the centrifugal force of the rotating container 5. While the eye bolt 22 retains its vertical position, its engagement with the slot 26 makes it impossible for the door 12 to slide into an open position.

In the operation of the securing means the nut 23 may be conveniently loosened by the operator by means of a socket wrench 28 conveniently located on a bracket 29 extending from the side of the tank I. While a wing nut may be employed in place of the hexagonal nut 23, as shown, I and it more practical to employ a hand wrench which permits the door I2 to be secured more firmly, thus overcoming the probability of the nut becoming loose and the consequent excessive noise and wear produced thereby.

In view of the location of the pivot point of the eye bolt in relation to the door l2, and in view of the pivot being limited to a transverse movement relative to the direction of operation of the door, I provide a unique arrangement which, due to the centrifugal force of the rotating container, providesv a fastening device which functions efficiently in the practical operation of washing "machines.

While I have thus shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it isjunderstood that it is susceptible of modifications except' as limited by the scope of the appended claim..

Having thus described my invention what I claim is:

In a washing machine a horizontally disposed rotatable cylindrical container having an opening through its cylindrical wall, an arcuate door slidably mounted on the container and adapted to cover said opening, the door being slidable circumferentially of the container and having a slot communicating with the side margin of the door and extending transversely of the movement of the door, an eye bolt pivotally attached to one end to the container within the radial projection of the arcuate door projecting radially of said container in operative position and swingable longitudinally of the container, said bolt being engageable with said slot when the door is in closed position, and a nut cooperable with the eye bolt for drawing the door in clamped rebolt from disengaging with said slot.

' ABE MILLER. 

